Arizona To Alaska

[trackhead]

This is the first post of many of our truck camper trip from Arizona to Ketchikan, Alaska. We need to be there June 1.

Last day in Arizona was a long one. Up at 0430, pack apartment, work from 0700 to 1930, drive six hours in the dark and find a place to camp. BRAINDEAD!

Arrived in Page, AZ sometime after midnight, VERY tired. Then drove north a bit, then east and found a place to camp along the Smokey Mtn Road.


Woke up four short hours later and found the Utah desert blooming.




Camped way down there somewhere. Drove this in the dark, after being up for 21 hours. Ugghhh.......


Rode some nice narrow washes to wake the brain up in the morning.


After riding, coffee, and a shower, it was time to head out. Rain was coming, and this road turns to snot when it's wet.










In SLC now for the week wrapping up last minute stuff, then heading out.........more at that time.

[trackhead]

Butch50 wrote:
If that is you new home WOW how are you going to want to go out in the camper with that view.

Well, Ketchikan has a very limited road system, so there's not much use for a camper in terms of exploration, short of putting it on a ferry and going to Prince of Wales, etc.

[Butch50]

If that is you new home WOW how are you going to want to go out in the camper with that view.

I know when we lived in WA we were one row of houses back from Puget Sound (on a fairly steep hill) and had a beautiful view of it. Looked right across to Whidbey Island. Our house was right above what they called humpy hollow and when the salmon were in it looked like you could walk from one boat to another without getting your feet wet they were in there so tight with each other. We got to see the Abraham Lincoln (aircraft carrier) when it cam into home port which was Everett, WA. It had to come right across in front of our house. It was very hard to get excited about going someplace else We had over a 1/2 acre lot so no neighbors right on top of us and on a dead end street with only 4 houses on the street. The Goodyear Blimp use to go over our house whenever it was in town. You would hear a drone of an engine and go outside and it would be going right over.

Really hated to leave there but after 4 years it was time for us to sell and move on with company relocations.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Oh my gosh - how will you ever tear yourself away from that stupendous view to go to work???!!! WOW. Just wow.

[trackhead]

A rest day in Prince Rupert to check into the ferry system and get our affairs in order before the early 2:00am wake up call to get in line by 3:15am. Well, we didn't sleep much and I auto-woke up at 1:30 and we left by 2:15. LONG morning waiting to board, as the ferry crew juggled all the huge RV's and other vehicles to get us all on the ship. Then a hazy and cold morning with gradual clearing and a pleasant 6 hour ride north with some mile sea sickness at times. Arrived in Ketchikan under windless, cloudless skies (rare for this place) and settled into our new apartment which is amazing!

Work starts Monday............I'm uber tired, only posting a few pics and a link to the rest. This was one of the best trips ever for me. Great weather, truck and camper ran great, and ended up in a stellar location.

Link to more pics.





Our new home.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Even though you'll be traveling by boat - hope you continue to take and post photos? You are really a gifted photographer!!!

[trackhead]

Day 19: To Prince Rupert

Short drive to Prince Rupert along the amazing 16 West along the Skeena River and super cool coastal mountains. Hanging at the RV park by the ferry for a couple days in preparation to get to our apartment in Ketchikan.

More here.

Mighty Skeena River from the morning ride.


Dark forest.


Back in the Pacific NW. It's been almost two years since our stint in Washington.




Looking forward to our ferry ride.

[trackhead]

garyhaupt wrote:
And, as I and Sharon are driving thru Terrace this morning, don't I see a rig I recognize from the pix's. We wheeled around for a hello...couldn't do more than that...Sharon had an appointment, but still...cool to to see you.



Gary Haupt

That was absolutely hilarious. Good meeting you!

[garyhaupt]

And, as I and Sharon are driving thru Terrace this morning, don't I see a rig I recognize from the pix's. We wheeled around for a hello...couldn't do more than that...Sharon had an appointment, but still...cool to to see you.



Gary Haupt

[trackhead]

Another short drive to the town of Terrace, BC with a night at the easy logistics of the municipal campground. The Skeena River was about 2ft from taking over the campground due to warm temps and flooding.

More here.

Checking out the logging industry.


Terrace kids bike park






At Prince Rupert a day early. Loading on the ferry to Ketchikan Saturday very early morning. Then this trip ends. More pics later.

[trackhead]

Day 16: Kleanza Creek

Left Smithers and drove a short distance to Kleanza Creek for the night. Again, amazing drive, amazing mountains, amazing weather.

More here.

Seven Sisters




Campground down there.

[nycsteve]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I've really enjoyed this thread!! Awesome pictures!

What he said.

[ljwarner]

Couldn't agree more. Some really rememberable photos.
Good luck, stay safe!

My Blue Heaven wrote:
Good eye, great photos, sounds like a wonderful trip.

I look forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I've really enjoyed this thread!! Awesome pictures!

[My_Blue_Heaven]

Good eye, great photos, sounds like a wonderful trip.

I look forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.